Extensible chair or divan



Fully 3, 1934. H KNAPP 11,964,918

EXTENSIBLE CHAIR OR DIVAN Filed July 31, 1935 Attorney;

Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 23 Claims.

This invention relates to an article of furniture which is capable of being used in the regular way as a chair or divan, and which is capable of being extended to form a bedstead.

The construction of the divan or chair is such that the mattress or bed bottom is carried by the extensible frame and becomes extended when the extensible frame is extended. One of the difficulties arising in such construction is that the chair will not be comfortable if three layers of the mattress are folded under the seat, because this results in forming a seat for the chair that is too high to be comfortable. In accordance with my invention, the extensible frame is constructed in such a way that one layer of the mattress extends up into the back of the chair, and only two layers are located under the seat. Also, the end of the frame which is used as the back of the chair is extended laterally toward the rear of the chair, so that when the frame is opened as a bed this lateral extension will extend upwards, above the bed bottom, attaining a point higher from the floor than the bed bottom. One of the difiiculties in providing this arrangement, however, is that when the frame is extended, it will form a bedstead that is abnormally low and uncomfortable. One of the objects of this invention is to overcome these difiiculties and to provide an extensible frame which, when folded up, will produce a chair or divan having a seat that is low enough to form a comfortable seat and which, when extended, will support the mattress or bed bottom at a sulficiently elevated position.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a construction which can be substantially counterbalanced by springs so that said springs operate to aid in extending and closing up the construction, and enable movements of the chair and bed to be accomplished with facility and without exerting great force.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby the back of the chair will move forwardly when the frame is extended, and operate in its upright position to form the foot or supporting foot end of the bedstead or bed bottom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a divan or chair with movable side arms which facilitate the extending of the frame and enable the width of the frame or bed bottom to be increased for a given width of seat. In this way, a bed frame or bed bottom of greater width than the chair seat can be attained.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efficient extensible chair or divan.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a chair or divan embodying my invention. In this view the dotted lines indicate the manner in which the side arms can be swung outwardly when desired.

Figure 2 is a side elevation in partial section, with certain parts broken away and particularly illustrating the relation of the parts when this article of furniture is in the form of a chair or divan. 7

Figure 3 is a plan in partial section with certain parts broken away and illustrating the parts in the relation which they have when extended to form the bedstead, or bed bottom- Figure is a side elevation in partial section of the extended frame shown in Figure 4, certain parts being broken away.

Figure 5 is a side elevation illustrating a modifled construction.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 indicates the main frame of the chair or divan, which is relatively fixed. This frame may have any desired construction, but in the present instance it is indicated as having two rear posts 2 and 3 of angle iron which may have wood posts 4 attached to them for carrying upholstering. This main frame also includes two horizontal frame members 5, which are located near the floor. At the forward end of the main frame 2, posts 6 may be provided of angle iron, the flanges of which are secured to the horizontal frame members or stringers 5. The chair is formed with side extensions '7 which are built up on the frame of the chair, and on these extensions side bolsters 8 are mounted. These bolsters are preferably mounted in such a way that they can be swung outwardly as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1. For this purpose, I prefer to provide each side extension with a horizontal supporting bar 9 (see Fig. 2) on which each bolster is pivotally mounted. Between the bolsters a removable seat cushion 10 is provided.

The extensible frame preferably comprises a head section 11 which may be formed of angle iron with side bars 12, and an end bar 13. In its 110 elevated position, that is to say, in the extended position of the frame, the head section 11 is supported in a horizontal position (see Fig. 4), its forward end being pivotally attached by pivot bolts 14 to a front section 15. This front section is relatively short measured longitudinally of the bedstead, and on its outer or forward side it is pivotally attached by pivot bolts 16 to a main extension 17, which is also made of angle iron and includes side bars 18. The front section 15 is preferably formed of substantially rectangular end brackets 19 connected by a rigid tie bar 20, and in the extended position of the frame this ront section is supported on stops on the main frame. However, instead of providing two stops on the main frame for this purpose, I prefer to provide a transverse bar or cross bar 21 which operates as a rest for the under side of the front section, and which also performs the function of tying together the forward arms at the posts 6 of the main frame. This gives an effective bracing for the side arms or side extensions of the chair or divan.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extensible frame includes a foot section 22 including side bars 23, preferably formed of angle iron and connected together at their forward ends by a cross bar 24. The outer or forward ends of these bars 23 are turned upwardly to form an upward extension 25 for the foot section 22, and attached by pivot bolts 26 I provide foot 27. This foot is preferably formed of side bars 28 of angle iron, the upper ends of which have horizontal extensions 29 that carry the pivot bolts 26.

These arms or extensions 29 may be covered by a cover plate or board 30 to facilitate attaching upholstering to the front and top of the back when folded to be used as a chair or indicated by the dotted line 31 in Figure 2 and Figure 4.

The bars 18 of the main section are preferably provided with a cross brace 32. This cross brace has vertical arms 33 at its ends that are secured to the side bars 18, so that the body of the brace is in a depressed position, and these side arms 33 are connected by springs 34 with the side bars 23 of the foot section 22. The bars 18 and 23 are preferably formed of angle iron, and when the construction has been extended to form the bedstead. the horizontal flanges 23 of the bars 23 are engaged by the ends 18 of the vertical flanges of the bars .13; this engagement is beyond the pivot bolts 35, so that the joint then becomes a rigid support for the outer end of the main section 17. The inner ends of the flanges 23 should terminate in line with these bolts or short of this point.

The force exerted by the springs 34 tends to break the joint at the bolts 35 upwardly, but this force is overcome by the weight of the main section 17. In the closing movement of the bedstead, as soon. as the foot 27 is raised and the joint at the bolts 35 is broken upwardly, these springs assist the closing movement at this joint.

When the extension frame is folded, the head section 11 will become depressed down to about the level of the side bars 5 of the main frame, and in the position shown in Figure 4, it is supported in its elevated position on folding supporting means preferably consisting of two legs 36. These legs are attached to the bars 5 and the side bars 12 of the head section, in such a Way that they can pivot on one of these bars and have lost motion on the other. In the present instance, the lower ends of the legs are connected by pivot pins 37 to the bars 5, and have a lost motion connection to the bars 12. This lost motion connection is preferably in the form of a pin 38 in each leg running in a slot 39 in the side bar 12.

In order to support the front section 15 and the head section 11 in the bedstead position, and to facilitate the folding up of the extensible frame into the main frame of the chair or divan, I provide lifter means 46), which preferably consists of two L-shaped swinging levers 41 which are pivotally attached at 42 on their corresponding side frame bars 5. Referring to Figure 4, each lifter comprises an inclined short arm 43 which is pivotally attached by a pivot bolt 44 to a tongue 45 which extends down below the level of the cross bar 21. The short arms 43 are connected by a rigid panel 43 shown in Figure 4 but omitted in Figure 2. This panel forms the front of the chair below the seat. (See Fig. 1). The pivot bolt 4 for each L-shaped lifter is located on the other side of the cross bar 21 with respect to the pivotal connection 44. The other arm 46 of the L-shaped lifter engages at its end 47 against the under-side of the corresponding side bar 12 of the head section. Means is provided connecting ea -1 lifter with its corresponding leg 36, and this means may be in the form of a simple link 48. I prefer to provide a coil spring 49 at each side for urging the arms 46 of the lifters up against the side bars 12 of the head section 13. The upper end of these springs are attached to the ends of of? et spring brackets 56 that extend across the on. front section, that is to say, they are offset to clear the pivot bolts 15 and adjacent parts (see Fig. 3). These springs also operate as means for assisting in opening the chair out to form the bedstead, as will presently appear.

In order to fold the extension frame into the main frame of the chair or diran, it is necessary to lift the foot 2'7, and order to facilitate breaking the joint at the pivots 35, I prefer to provide a drag link 51 at each side. Each of these drag links is attached by a pivot bolt 52 to an offset bracket 53 that is secured at 54 to the side bars 18 of the main section 17. The forward end of each drag link 51 is attached by a pin-and-slot connection 51 to an angle bracket 29 that may be formed integrally with the par 5 28 and 29. In the extended position of the e:- tension frame, the pin 51 is at the outer end of the slot. These links 51 also operate means for limiting the outward swinging movement of the foot 27 on its pivot joint at 25, and hold it in the correct vertical position in which it supports the foot end of the foot section 22.

Under the foot section 22 I provide a mem ber 55, which is suspended preferably by two links 56 on pivot bolts 56 from the main section 17, and by links 5'7 that connect to the foot 27.

At the back of the chair (see Fig. 3) it is ad visable to place diagonal brace plates 58, and on account of these brace plates it is necessary to provide inclined corners 59 on the head section 11 to clear these braces. By providing these inclined corners, I am enabled to make the bedstead somewhat longer when extended.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the

frame that extends longitudinally with the seat of the folded up chir. Obviously, the invention can be applied to a divan as readily as to a chair by simply increasing the wicth of the chair to invention provides for giving a full length bed from the the length of a divan, and correspondingly increasing all cross members of the construction.

If desired, instead of having the frame extend longitudinally with the seat of the chair, if the divan is made of sufficient length, it can be extended laterally so as to form the bedstead, and omitting the foot section 22 and foot 27 of the construction shown in Figures 3 and i. In this case, the construction would be such as indicated in Figure 5. In this view, all of the parts are the same as illustrated at the right of Figure 4, but I provide a main section 60, which is pivotally attached at 61 to the front section 62, and the outer end of this main section is provided with legs 63, which are pivotally attached on pivots 64, and swing up against stops 65 to enable them to support the weight of the main section 60 and the mattress which is carried upon it.

In this case there would be no extension of the mattress up into the back of the divan, and there would be two thicknesses of mattress below the seat of the divan.

Any suitable mattress may be employed with my invention. However, I prefer to employ a light mattress formed of coiled springs and covered with a pad. A mattress of this type readily adapts itself to the folding which is necessary in the use of the divan or chair.

In folding the bedstead up from its extended position illustrated in Figure l, it is merely necessary to raise the foot 2'7. This will swing it up on the pivots 16, and after it been swung up a short distance the lower portion of the foot 27 should be shoved inwardly. This will move the pins 51 to the inner ends of their slots and thereby develop a thrust in the links 51 which will break the joint at the pivots 35. This will break the joint in a downward direction. The entire extension frame then can be swung backwardly on the pivots 3'7 for the legs 36. As this movement takes place, the lifters swing on their pivots l2. This will elevate the pivot points 44 and bring them up to the position indicated in Figure 2, thereby causing the front section 15 to shift inwardly across the upper side of the cross bar 21, and eventually developing a rotation through about 90 on the pivot pins is. The arm 46 of each lifter i0 swings downwardly, permitting the head section 11 to swing down to about the level of the side bars 5 of the main frame.

In performing this movement, the foot 27 will maintain a substantially upright position throughout the entire movement, and eventually comes to rest in an upright position where it forms the back rest and top portion of the chair or divan,

In the folded position of the extension frame, when it is in the form of a chair, the springs e9 will be in tension (see Fig. 2) and that enables them to assist in extending the frame to form a bedstead as they are connected to the ofiset brackets 59 which are firmly fixed to and in line with side angle irons 18, said brackets 59 extending past the pivotal center around which these angle irons l8 rotate, said springs being attached to these brackets beyond the pivotal center so as to oppose the weight of the main section 17.

What I claim is:-

1. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead. the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, head section, a front section having joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the lower portion of the main frame and having a pivotal connection with the front section, a rigid panel carried by the lifter means and forming the front of the chair, a folding suppert between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end thereof, means having a pivotal connection with the lifter means for connecting the same to said folding support, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its ex tended position it will fold over the head section and the head section will descend toward the floor, the lines joining said pivotal connections to said pivotal support forming an angle opening upwardly at said pivotal support so that when either of pivotal connections moves up, the other moves down.

2. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the lower portion of the main frame and pivotally connected with the front section, a rigid panel carried by the lifter means and forming the front of the chair, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end thereof, means for connecting the lifter means with said folding support, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position it will fold over the head section, and the head section will descend toward the floor, said front section operating to swing downwardly on its pivotal connection to the lifter means, said pivotal connections being located on opposite sides of the vertical line passing through the pivotal support in the extended position of the bedstead so that when one of the pivotal connections moves down, the other moves up.

3. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a pivot connection directly connecting the same to the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support near the lower portion of the main frame and pivotally connected with the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section in the form of two links with pivotal supports on the main frame and having lostmotion connections with the head section, and located toward the inner end thereof, means for connecting the lifter means with said folding support, having a pivot connection to the lifter means located in a vertical plane between the pivotal support for the lifter means and the pivotal supports for the links, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position it will fold over the head section, and the head section will descend toward the floor, said parts cooperating so that when one of the pivotal connections swings up, the other swings down.

4. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection'with the head section,

a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and a pivotal connection to the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end thereof, means attached to the lifter means for connecting the lifter means to said folding support, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, a fixed rest on said main frame on which said front section rests when in its extended position, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position to fold over on the head section, the head section will descend toward the floor, and the said pivotal connection will swing toward the said fixed rest, enabling the head section to swing down on the side of the rest remote from the pivotal connection.

5. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means in the form of an L-shaped bar having angularly disposed arms, pivotally mounted on the main frame adjacent the junction of said arms, one of said arms being pivotally connected to the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end thereof, means for connecting the lifter means with said folding support, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position it will fold over the head section and the head section will descend toward the floor, the other arm of said lifter means extending toward the inner end of the head section, in the extended position of the bedstead, for engaging said head section on its under side to limit the extending movement of the lifter means.

6. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a seat, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, a pair of lifters pivotally mounted on the main frame and pivotally connected with the front section, a pair of legs pivotally supported on the main frame toward their lower ends and each having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section, links connecting said legs with said lifters, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position it will fold over the head section and the head section will descend toward the fioor, and a panel of rigid material attached to the lifters and forming the front of the chair below its seat, the upper edge of said panel being at substantially the same level as the under side of the seat.

7. In a folding chair or divan extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and having an upward extension projecting upwardly from the pivotal support, and pivotally connected at its upper end to the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end of the head section, said lifter means having an arm that, in the extended position of the bedstead, extends upwardly in an inclined direction from the pivotal support of the lifter, and that occupies a substantially horizontal position when the bedstead is folded up, and a link connecting the arm to said folding support for raising and lowering the support.

8. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the lower portion of the main frame and having an upward extension projecting upwardly from the pivotal connection with the main frame, and having a pivotal connection at its upper end to the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end of the head section, said lifter means having a rear extension, and links attached to the folding support and each having a pivotal connection with the lifter means, the lines joining the said pivotal support and the said two pivotal connections forming substantially a right angle with each other, and means supported on said main frame operating as a support for the front section when in its extended position.

9. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the forward and lower end of the front section, and having a rear section, with links located below the level of the head section in its extended position connecting the lifter means to the said legs at a point below the level of the head section, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, said parts cooperating to enable the legs to swing rearwardly on their pivots, and so that the front section swings rearwardly and rotates down through substantially 90 on its pivotal connection to the lifter means, to depress the forward end of the head section.

10. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, said parts cooperating to enable the legs to swing rearwardly on their pivots, and so that the front section swings rearwardly and rotates through substantially 90 low the upper side of said bar on its pivotal connection to the lifter means, to depress the forward end of the head section, the said rear extension of the lifter means operating to engage the under side of the head section in the extended position of the same to operate as a supporting brace therefor.

11. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, said main frame having side extensions, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pinand-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raise: position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, said parts cooperating to enable the legs to swing rearwardly on their pivots, and so that the front section swings rearwardly and rotates through substantially 90 on its pivotal connection to the lifter means, to depress the forward end of the head section, said stop means consisting of a transverse bar connecting the side extensions of the main frame.

12. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, said main frame having side extensions, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pinand-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotaily attached to the forward end of the head section, a cross-bar conecting said side extensions and operating as a rest for said front section in the extended position thereof, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section at a point bein the extended position, and having a rear extension with means connecting the same to said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, said lifter means operating in the folding movement to move the front extension rearwardly across the said cross-bar, said front section operating thereafter to swing on its pivotal connection to the lifter means through substantially 90 and cooperating with the other parts to fold the legs downwardly to depress the forward end of the head section and swing the legs on their pivots to depress the rear end of the head section.

13. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame hav ing a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front sevtion, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, a foot section having a joint connection with the forward end of the main section, said .foot section having an upward extension at its forward end, and a foot for the bedstead having legs to rest upon the fioor and pivotally attached to the said upward extension of the foot section.

14. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame hav ing a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its irnier end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, a foot section having a joint connection with the forward end of the main section, said foot section having an upward extension at its forward end, and a foot for the bedstead having legs to rest upon the floor and pivotally attached to the said upward extension of the foot section, and means connected with the foot for limiting its outward swinging movement in the extended position of the bedstead.

15. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the n ain frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, a foot section having a joint connection with the forward end of the main section, said foot section having an upward extension at its forward end, and a foot for the bedstead having legs to rest upon the floor and pivotally attached to the said upward extension of the foot section, and a drag-link connected at one end, to the foot, and connected at its other end to the main section and including a lost motion connection at one end thereof.

16. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on the main frame and having a pin-and-slot connection with the inner end of the head section for supporting the same in a raised position, a front section pivotally attached to the forward end of the head section, lifter means pivotally attached on the main frame having a forward extension pivotally attached to the front section and having a rear section, with links connecting the same to the said legs, a main section supported at its inner end on the front section, fixed stop means on the main frame operating as a supporting rest for the front section when in its extended position, a foot section having a joint connection with the forward end of the main section, said foot section having an upward extension at its forward end, a foot for the bedstead having legs to rest upon the floor and pivotally attached to the said upward extension of the foot section, a seat member, and means for suspending the same below the bedstead in the extended position thereof.

1'7. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed frame, a pair of lifters of substantially L-shape having forward arms projecting outwardly on the main frame in the set-up position of the bedstead, and pivotally mounted on said frame, a front section pivotally attached to the forward arm of each of said lifters, a frame section pivotally attached to said front section on the side adjacent its pivotal connection to the lifters, a second frame section pivotally attached to the front section on the other side thereof, fixed supporting means on the main frame for supporting the front section in an elevated position, and foldable means for supporting the second named frame section at a point remote from the front section with means connecting the same with the other arms of the said lifters, said parts co-operating so that the said other arms of the lifters will swing downwardly to enable the remote end of the second named frame section to be depressed, and enabling the said front section to swing clear of said fixed supporting means and then downwardly on its pivotal connection with the lifters to depress the adjacent end of the second named frame section.

18. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed frame, an extensible frame mounted on the main frame and constructed to fold into the same, said extensible frame including a foot section with a rigid upward extension at its outer end, a foot with a cover plate and having a pivoted connection to said upward extension, and with legs located beyond the pivotal connection to rest upon the fioor in the extended position of the extensible frame, and means connected with the said foot for enabling the same to occupy an upright position and form the back of the chair in the folded position of the extensible frame, with the said upward extension folded under the said cover plate.

19. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a relatively fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means pivotally mounted on the main frame and pivotally connected with the front section, a folding support between the main frame and the head section located toward the inner end thereof, means for connecting the lifter means with said folding support, and means for supporting the outer end of the main section, a fixed part on said main frame on which said front section rests when in its extended position, said parts cooperating so that when the main section is swung upwardly from its extended position it will fold over the head section and the head section will descend toward the fioor, a bracket attached to the main section and extending beyond the pivotal connection between the main section and the head section, and a spring connecting said bracket with said lifter means, said spring being in tension when the parts are folded together and forming a chair, and counterbalancing the weight of the main section in extending the chair from its folded position.

20. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and having a pivotal connection to the front section, a fixed rest on the main frame supporting the front section in the set-up position of the bedstead, said parts cooperating so that the pivotal connection between the lifter means and the front section will swing up near to the rest and enable the front section to swing downwardly on said pivotal connection and lie on the opposite side of the rest from the lifter means.

21. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, a main section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and having an arm extending upwardly and away from the main frame in the set-up position of the bedstead, a pivotal connection between said arm and said front section, a fixed rest on the main frame for supporting the front section, said parts cooperating so that when the said arm is swung toward the rest, the front section will swing downwardly on its pivotal connection with the arm and lie on the opposite side of the rest from the arm.

22. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head section, amain section having a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and having an arm extending upwardly and away from the main frame in the setup position of the bedstead, a pivotal connection between said arm and said front section, a fixed rest for supporting the front section, said lifter means having a second arm rigid with the first arm and extending under the head section, said parts cooperating so that when the first-named arm is swung upwardly to the rest, the front section will swing downwardly on its pivotal connection and fold into the space back of the rest, said second named arm engaging the underside of the head section in the set-up position of the bedstead.

23. In a folding chair or divan, extensible to form a bedstead, the combination of a fixed main frame, a head section, a front section having a joint connection with the head, a main section raving a joint connection with the front section, lifter means having a pivotal support on the main frame and having an arm extending upwardly and away from the main frame in the set-up position of the bedstead, a pivotal connection between said arm and said front section, a fixed rest for supporting the front section, said lifter means having a second arm rigid with the first arm and extending under the head section, said parts (:0- operating so that when the first-named arm is swung upwardly to the rest, the front section will swing downwardly on its pivotal connection and fold into the space back of the rest, said second named arm engaging the under side of the head section in the set up position of the bedstead, and

folding supporting means attached to the main frame and connected with the second named arm for supporting the head section at a point remote from the front section.

HARRY W. KNAPP. 

